Indy 500 Trophy Leaves US For 1st Time During Sato's Japan Visit

For the first time in its 82 years the Indianapolis 500's Borg-Warner Trophy has left the United States, thanks to race winner Takuma Sato's celebratory trip to Japan, The Associated Press reports. According to the news outlet Sato and the trophy left the U.S. Tuesday to go celebrate during a 15-day tour of festivities for the first Japanese winner of the Indianapolis 500, and Honda Racing's 12th. The Borg-Warner Trophy's permanent home is the museum at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but during the trip it will cover about 12,780 miles, more than 25 times the distance of "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing," AP reports.

RELATED: Danica Patrick Says She'll End Career After 2018 Indianapolis 500

The Borg-Warner company has never seen a push to celebrate the Indy 500 in the home country of an international driver, AP reports.

However, the coveted trophy - which is 5 feet high, 110 pounds and is valued at $3.5 million - will be part of Honda Racing's "THANKS DAY" at Twin Ring Motegi during the tour.

Photo credit: Michael Conroy/Associated Press